The part with the crafting

I describe myself as a multi-crafter because if I try to list all the ways I make things in conversation, it gets a bit tedious.

I cross-stitch

needlepoint

weave on different types of looms — rigid heddle, tapestry, band loom

loom knit, which is kind of knitting, but onto a frame, rather than with needles

and sew.

I sew mostly bags, but after binge-watching “The Great British Sewing Bee” (now available on Roku in the US after years of not being able to watch it anywhere without pirating), I’m tempted to start making clothing.

See? It’s tough to work all that into a chat with someone you’re just getting to know without sounding like a bore or a self-absorbed prat, so I just stick with multi-crafter and let the other person pick out the things we might have in common.

I’m frequently asked if I quilt and, no, I don’t. Not least because my mother quilts and that’s enough crazy for one house, thank you. She dragged me into doing all the cutting out for her last quilt and dealing with all those fiddly tiny bits of fabric that all have to fit together perfectly nearly drove me round the bend. I’ll happily leave that to other folks and get back to making some more simple pouches.